Pershore Press

Although fruit has been grown on the farm at Pershore College since 1954, we began making juice in 1992 as part of a student-led project. Its success led to our first cider being pressed just a year later, and, by the end of the decade, Avonbank Orchard had been established to supply our cider and juice business with a range of traditional varieties. Originally planted as a development orchard, Avonbank’s unusually diverse crop is at the heart of the blended and single-variety craft cider and fruit juice that we make today. Unlike most commercial and high-intensity orchards, we’re not limited to growing varieties based on market demand or the needs of supermarkets. Where we do bring in additional crops, we do so in collaboration with local and trusted orchards in the area. The growers we work with share the same high standards of orchard management practices, and we’re proud to support these important local orchards. Our ethos is one of quality and craft. Everything we grow and press is produced under the stewardship of Richard Toft. Since taking over operations in 2007, and using our own production and bottling facilities, his expertise in orchard management, his dedication to the craft cider community, and his careful product development has led to our drinks being recognised on numerous occasions with industry awards and accolades.